Jerseys Equal Reproductive Efficiency!

No matter what size of herd you manage, perhaps the most important management issue is getting cows bred with a minimum of expense or lost production due to unnecessary days open. Subsequently, numerous studies and reports have been published in recent years showing Jerseys to an an industry leader in various aspects of reproductive performance!

Younger Age at First Service
In a study from Virginia Tech, Jersey heifers were shown to reach breeding age an average of 8 weeks sooner than Holsteins, and that the Jersey heifers had longer heat periods and more standing heat events. As well, the Canadian Dairy Network reports that Canadian Jerseys had an average age at first service (15.5 months) that is an entire month younger than industry average! Earlier breedings mean higher conception rates and fewer months before being able to return on your investment by getting females into production!

Fewer Breedings per Cow
Canadian Jerseys have an average of 1.8 breedings per cow, the best value for this trait among Canadian dairy breeds. Jersey also have shown a 56 Day Non-Return Rate of 68%, 7% better than the industry average! This translates into fewer days open, and therefore fewer dollars lost to cows with longer periods out of production.

Easy Calving Heifers and Cows
Studies in both Canada and the United States has confirmed what Jersey breeders have known for many years: Jerseys almost always have easy calvings! Less than 1% of American Jersey heifers experience calving difficulty, compared with an industry average of 8% (USDA, 2008). Figures available from the Canadian Dairy Network show 96% easy calvings for heifers and 99% easy calving for cows, once again the best values in the industry!